Minnesota announced Monday that Luke Strand has been named the fifth men’s hockey coach in program history.
Strand replaced Mike Hastings, who left Minnesota for a similar position at Wisconsin on March 30.
“I am so thrilled to have Coach Strand on board and ready to lead our team to the next level,” Minnesota State President Dr. Edward Inch said in a press release. “His record of success, community interaction, and leadership is exemplary, and I look forward to everything he brings to Mankato and our men’s ice hockey program.”
Strand comes to Minnesota after spending the past year as an assistant at Ohio State where he helped lead the Buckeyes to a 21-16-3 record, including third place in the Big Ten and a berth in the 2023 NCAA Tournament that secured a convincing 8-1 victory in Opening round at Harvard.
Minnesota State Athletics Director Kevin Boizman is excited to welcome Stand to the program and anticipates a bright future.
“We are very excited to wrap up this process and announce this very important leadership change,” Boizman said. “The Maverick brand of hockey is founded on outdoing our opponents in every aspect of the game, and Luke has established a reputation for developing a culture built around that identity. He impresses me as someone who is more than willing to put in the kind of hard work he knows will be necessary to continue the upward trajectory of the program.” By building on a solid foundation.
“Luke is well connected across the game and has a wide range of valuable experiences. Through our extensive conversations, I am confident he is committed to running a program on and off the ice that will make all of those who support Maverick hockey very proud.”
Prior to his time at Ohio State, Strand coached in the USHL for the Sioux City Musketeers for five seasons, leading them to an impressive Clark Cup title in 2022 behind a 41-16 record. While with the Knights, Strand also served in the organization as President of Hockey Operations.
“It’s an honor to be selected as the next MSU men’s hockey coach,” Strand said. “I am grateful to President Inch and Director of Athletics Kevin Boizman for the opportunity. The alumni who paved the way before us have proven that this is a special place, and this is an important responsibility to uphold as we begin the next chapter. We will play with tenacity, speed and be connected as a team. I can’t wait to get started with our students athletes, welcome to our next class of players, and discover the Mavericks of the future.”
Strand traveled well and made over 600 appearances behind the bench. During his time with the Green Bay Gamblers as an assistant coach (2003-2005), Strand coached former Mavericks star Ryan Carter.
Strand then became the head coach at UW-Eau Claire from 2005-2007, before serving as an assistant coach for the AHL’s Houston Aeros (2007-09). His first stop was at Sioux City as head coach of the Knights from 2009-2011, joining the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat (2011-13), then signing with the USHL’s Madison Capitols in 2014-15. Additionally, Strand was an assistant coach for Wisconsin during the 2015-16 season.
Outside of the collegiate game, Strand served as part of the 2017-2022 USA Junior Challenge Players’ Choice Team and also spent time as an amateur scout for the NHL’s Calgary Flames in 2016-17.
A native of Wisconsin, Strand played junior hockey for the North Iowa Huskies of the USHL before beginning his four-year professional career at UW-Eau Claire, where he also played baseball. During his time at Blugold, Strand played in 104 games, scoring 41 goals and recording 44 assists for a total of 85 points. After stopping in Eau Claire, Strand played three years of professional hockey for the Madison Monsters and Madison Kodiaks of the UHL.
Minnesota went 25-13-1 this past season.